Creating the next generation of leaders

At Lutheran High, we love when students ask questions. Asking questions shows an innate spark, a desire to understand the why and how of things. It’s indicative of a passion for learning — one that we strive to nurture. When students are encouraged to think about the why and how the spark of asking good questions will continue through life.

There are four core ways Lutheran High fosters a passion for learning in our students:

#1 Nurture academic strengths

LuHi teachers give students the tools for academic success. From there, students combine their hard work with the dedication of our teachers to nurture academic strengths (and grow in weaknesses).

We provide a robust range of opportunities to pursue academic excellence, including:

• Dual Credit Classes
• AP Classes
• Honors Classes
• The Academies

Each option has unique strengths to help push students beyond their academic comfort zones. Click here to learn more about each offering.

Doing well on a test or getting the desired grade is important, but we want students to understand the significance and deeper ramifications of the material they’re studying. More than just the “what,” we want to develop students with higher-order thinking abilities to analyze, synthesize, and create in the classroom.

#2 Surround students with caring, passionate faculty

Arming our students with the skills and knowledge needed to become tomorrow’s leaders requires a special kind of faculty: one with a burning desire to teach, a desire to learn, and an unparalleled passion for their craft.

We believe our teachers are some of the nation’s most talented, passionate, and bright. It takes a certain kind of teacher to join our faculty. One who:

Has a continued desire to learn

There is no substitute for a teacher who attains a quality education. Even more important is a teacher’s innate desire to keep learning, keep growing, and keep improving. Students benefit from having lifelong learning modeled for them. We help our teachers pursue further education opportunities and provide ample time within their departments for curriculum collaboration.

Values relationships

LuHi teachers strive not just to know every student’s name but to know how they tick. A highly relational environment looks like teachers investing time and energy into each student to learn about their interests, preferred learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses. Rockstar teachers put this knowledge to good use to better support their students.

Models a servant attitude

No community can function for long in a selfish, me-first culture. Teachers aim to model what Paul lays out in 1 Corinthians 12 by valuing each person’s unique God-given gifts and talents. Jesus shows us the epitome of servant leadership when He washed His disciples’ feet. Although counter-cultural, by the grace of God, the LuHi staff models these lessons for students.

#3 Develop engaging classrooms and source material

Preparing today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders requires more than solid textbooks and long lectures. Getting a pulse for the latest trends and developments in key areas prepares students to leap into college and hit the ground running.

Lutheran High classrooms are bright, engaging places where students explore material in ways many of us could never have imagined while we were in school. Here are just a few examples:

Skipping the textbooks in certain subjects Think about the goal of a high school English class. It’s meant to challenge ways of thinking, develop critical skills, hone strong writing and communication skills, and foster a love for reading.

You can’t accomplish those goals with a textbook alone. Instead, in a LuHi English classroom, you’ll find students engrossed in poems, novels, and short stories — much like you’d see on any college campus across the globe.

Now think about how quickly information in the science world changes. Instead of bogging teachers down with a textbook that requires steady corrections or updates to share with students, they create curriculum that stays up with the times while maintaining eternal truths.

A benefit of the autonomy LuHi has from federal and state-funded schools is that departments can choose the curriculum that best fits our students.

Keeping students connected to the classroom

To streamline how students stay connected with classrooms and their teachers, Lutheran High uses Canvas. This campus-wide software is where students can find up-to-date class notes, assignments, due dates, and more. The high level of accessibility on the platform provides another layer of accountability for our students. There are no excuses when everything is available every week, like clockwork. LuHi students thrive with this level of information accessibility and structure. They can also see all of their grades at a glance, allowing students to share open communication with teachers and have control of their academic performance.

Plus, it’s used on college campuses across the country, further preparing students for their college careers during their time at LuHi.

Teachers are so incredibly helpful here at LuHi. It’s so unique, because our teachers care so much and are so invested in our lives even outside the classroom. The classes have challenged me and I will be equipped for college and later life interactions. — Marina Gleeson, class of 2022

I am thankful to be working with incredible educator colleagues who share the passion for ministering to students and families through the educational setting of Lutheran High. — Dave Black, Teacher

High school is hard! Teenage years are some of the most challenging we face in our lives for a multitude of reasons. With that understanding, Lutheran High is intentional about providing a culture of love, support, grace, and accountability for our students. As we try to model the love of Christ in our student’s lives, we pray it makes a profound difference in their lives.

Following are some of the ways Lutheran High strives to provide love and support for our students.

Family at home

We are a team in helping prepare your son or daughter to become a leader in their adult years. Your participation in your student’s education is beyond critical, and we want to help you stay engaged. We invite parents to show support for their students at art shows, sporting events, theatre performances, and more. Parents also have access to the most current grade information, attendance records, due dates, classroom notes, and more.

In addition, we offer Thriving Parents, our ministry just for parents! Thriving Parent’s mission is to help families forge strong bonds that will withstand the difficult years of adolescence, high school, and beyond graduation. Our Administration and teaching staff has an open door policy. Parents are encouraged to call, email, or schedule in-person meetings to discuss how to best support their student’s academic success.

Family at school

The notion of “surviving high school” is the exact opposite of how we do things here at LuHi. Instead, we believe that surrounding students with adults who care, creating an environment where culture matters, and providing a Christian worldview makes all the difference.

There’s a reason that providing a highly relational environment is one of our core values. Teenagers spend the bulk of their waking hours at high school and high school events over four years. Whom your student spends time around will influence them. We strive to provide a culture where students and teachers have positive, long-lasting relationships.

Strong core of friends and peer-mentors

We are incredibly proud of the quality of our student body. We’ve watched countless students build a strong core of friends they can count on when faced with challenges. Events like the Freshmen Retreats give younger students a chance to see the servant-attitude of older students in action. Putting seniors in leadership positions where younger students can observe and learn from them is a valuable part of building LuHi culture.

Worshiping as a family

The greatest love and support students experience is from God our Heavenly Father. That’s why Chapel is a priority at Lutheran High School. Our staff and student body meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for a time of reflection on scripture and worship.

Students learn that worship is essential to their daily walk with Christ. It sets the tone for their relationships, school work, and life decisions as the Holy Spirit works in their hearts to show them how to live in God-honoring ways. Most importantly, it reminds them that God’s forgiveness is complete and unconditional; nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

You expect high school teachers to be available for academic assistance and to be there day in and day out for their job. But what you don't expect is for them to welcome students and families with such warmth and genuine love for God, for each other, for teaching, and for their desire to see students not only excel but to achieve their dreams. Academics are important, but it is also important that students see real life modeling of how to live out your testimony day in and day out. — Jennifer Oge, LuHi Parent

I have made major growth in my faith at Lutheran. Understanding more of the Bible helps me to understand God’s intentions for me and His will for us as human beings. Theology classes help us understand our trials and temptations and how to manage them, reminding us that we are never alone. — Jonathan Jaffee, class of 2023

At LuHi the staff and administration trust each other deeply. I also like building that trust with students, and showing them that this only happens through our relationship with Jesus. We all love, forgive and grow only with His help. — Mark Hollenbeck, Teacher

Today’s teenagers live in a landscape of constantly shifting opinions and messages. By the time they reach high school, they have received feedback about who they are and who they should be from their parents, the Internet, social media, movies, music and books.

At Lutheran High, students learn the truth: first, they have irreplaceable value as children of God; second, they have a calling to make a difference in the world with their God-given personalities and gifts.

Finding worth in God

The Bible paints a brilliant picture of God’s great love for us. When man chose sin, God moved heaven and earth to reconcile us to Him. He demonstrated perfect love by sending His son Jesus into the world to die for us so we could live eternally with Him. Because of Jesus’ great sacrifice, we know we are priceless in His sight.

King David affirms that we are uniquely designed by God: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made... all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:14-16).

Students hear reminders of their identity and purpose in Christ daily:

• at Chapel
• from teachers and their peers in the classroom
• Theology classes

Students take a Theology course each year in which they are taught the foundational truths of God’s love for them through life’s four big questions. The answers they discuss in and outside of class help students discover their true identity and purpose:

• Who am I? A child of God.
• Why am I here? To experience God’s love and share it.
• Is there any hope? I have eternal hope through faith in Jesus Christ.
• What is true? There is only one truth found in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

In all our classrooms, teachers facilitate an atmosphere of respect for students and their questions, ascribing to each other the value that God gives us.

Developing servant leaders

Lutheran High helps students develop 1) confidence in their unique skills and 2) humility to serve in the footsteps of Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:6-7). We purposefully create multiple opportunities for our students to learn how to make a Kingdom difference in the world.

Lutheran High’s ‘Saved to Serve’ program is designed for each student to complete twenty hours of service in the community. As a result, we have helped a variety of nonprofit organizations, such as the Alternatives Pregnancy Center, Activ8 Sports, Sweet Dreams in a Bag, Orphan Grain Train, and more. We also coordinate domestic and international mission trips.

Some people seem as if they are born with strong leadership skills. In many cases, they have actually spent years developing those skills.

At LuHi, we believe that the development of leadership skills begins within our campus. As a result, we provide many opportunities for students to develop the leadership skills they’ll need to tackle challenges and create opportunities as future leaders of the world.

Leadership development opportunities at LuHi include:

Clubs

Clubs offer new ways for students to learn to work together, develop soft skills, meet new friends, and expand their interest base. Not only can students join a club, but they can also start new clubs to fit their passions.

Sports

On a sports team, everyone has the opportunity to be a leader, not just the star quarterback or goalie. Here are just a few ways student-athletes develop and demonstrate quiet leadership:

• Winning the right way
• Losing gracefully
• Lifting up other teammates
• Making quick decisions
• Exhibiting strong communication skills

Fine Arts & Performing Arts

The various Arts programs aim to prepare students to have the confidence, courage, and tools to be creative. Leaders of the world are innovative thinkers who look at old challenges in new ways. Through participation in the arts, students will expand their comfort zones and approach new ideas in a safe environment.

Lutheran High arts participation nurtures leadership skills by promoting:

• Creativity
• Risk-taking
• Observational skills
• Collaboration

For the most updated list of extracurricular activities, visit lhsparker.org

I have been involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, Student Ambassadors, Basketball, Track, and Thrive. LuHi has provided a perfect platform to advance my leadership, communication, and organization skills. I’ve grown in my ability to work with others all while growing in my relationship with God. Lutheran is a truly wonderful environment, with an impressive culture. — Kallie Lemon, class of 2022

Tomorrow’s leaders are emerging, developing, and leading today at Lutheran High. That old saying, “it takes a village,” still rings true. LuHi parents can rest assured that there’s a community partnering with them to help their son or daughter achieve their goals.

Many teenagers exhibit apprehension during the critical years of high school.

• What if I fail?
• What if I’m not good enough?
• What if I don’t know what I want to do after I graduate?

At Lutheran High, our faculty and staff work together to help our students overcome these fears and anxieties to develop into confident young men and women ready to step out as Christian leaders.

Our carefully developed curriculum, culture, and extracurricular activities create a high school experience that is academically challenging, supportive, and yes, fun. Combine these elements with passionate faculty and bright, engaged students, and the result is astounding.

Where will your student choose to lead?

If you have questions about Lutheran High, please feel free to visit our website at lhsparker.org or call the Admissions Team at (303) 841-5551.